Flexible closure



Feb. 21, 1928. 1,660,192

J. B. FREYSINGER FLEXIBLE CLOSURE Filed June 22. 1926 llIli I Patent i Feb. 21, 1928.

PATENT QFFHCE."

FLEXIBLE CLOSURE.

Application filed-June 22,

This invention relates to flexible closures of the type having a pair of stringers or tapes provided on their opposed edges with clasps or looking members which are adapted to be successively brought into interlocking relation when a slide is moved longitudinally of the tapes in one direction and which are disengaged when the slide is moved in the opposite direction.

The object of the invention is to provide a flexible closure of this sort having improved interlocking members which are very simple in construction, which may be economically manufactured, and which areefiective' if in operation. .The construction of the look pointed out more in detail hereintion of which will be indicated in the ap-' pended claims. In the accompanying drawings, wherein I have shown, for illustrative purposes, twe

embodiments which the present invention may take:

Figure 1 is an elevational view showing the complete assembly;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 22 and looking inthe direction of the ar-- rows associated with that line;

, Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the looking members of the assembled structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sheared flat b ank from which the locking member of Fig. 3 may be formed;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view showing a number of these locking members or clasps in interlocking relation, the two lower locking members being shown in longitudinal section; i

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the interlocking members of a different embodiment;

Fig.7 is a perspective view of one of the 4 locking members of Fig. 6; and

55 Fig. 8 is a plan view of the pierced and Other objects will be in part obvious and member and a subjacent locking member of lan view of the pierced and.

"1926. serial no. 117,872.

.sheared blank from which the locking member of Fig. 7 may be constructed.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a and 6 denote the respective stringers or tapes; 0, c designate the locking members of the series secured to the tape a; and d, (Z designate the locking members of the series secured to the edge of the stringer b. e'is a slide for engaging and disengaging the lock ing members. This-slide may'be of any suitable construction, the particular form and arrangement thereof forming no part of the present invention. f designates a bottom stop of any suitable construction for limiting the opening movement of the slide, and 79, top stops which may also be of any suitable construction for limiting the closing move ment of the slide.

In the present illustrative disclosures of the invention, the locking members of both series are preferably of identical construction so as to efi'ect economy in manufacture, and each lockin member is adapted to be interlocked wit a superimposed locking the opposite series.

Referring to the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, each of the locking members is preferably constructed by stamping out a blank from sheet metal, although, of course, it is to be understood that the locking members may be constructed of material other than sheet metal. The form of the stamped out blank is shown in Fig. 4. This blank has, at its rear or attached end, a pierced opening 10 and a slot 11 leading thereinto so as to form a pair of wings or g jaws 12. The opening 10 is adapted to receive a head of a stringer, and the jaws are ada ted to be forced together so as to secure y clamp the locking member in place. At the forwarder free end of each locking member are a pair of longitudinally extending slits 13 which divide the forward end of the locking-member into three fingers, the central finger 14 and two end fingers 15 of greater length than the central finger 14. The end fingers 15 are bent into angular sha e so that each finger has a V-shaped ockt 16 on its under side and a rounded ump or projection 17 on its upper s1de.' The pockets ,16 of the two end fingers are se arated by the middle finge'r or lug 14 w ich is in the plane of the body portion of the locking member. The pockets -16 pref- 110 of the next subj acent locking member so that the locking members are held against relative lateral mover: ant. It will further be seen, particularly from Fig. 1, that, when the locking members are moved into-or out of locking engagement, they have a proper camming action relative to one another,

which results in a smooth and easy operation. It is clear that each of the locking members is very simple in construction and can be very cheaply manufactured, while, at the same time, they are accurate and uniform in all respects, all of which means that a fastening device constructed in accordance with the present invention may be manufactured at a low cost while, at the same time,

a high degree of e ectiveness in operation is obtained.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, the locking members 0 and d may be each made by stampin a blank from sheet metal as in the preceding embodiment. The blank from which a locking member of this embodiment may be formed is shown in- Fig. 8 and has pierced therein an opening 10 and'a slot 11. The forward end of the blank is longitudinally slit or sheared, as at 13, so as to provide a central locking lug or finger 15 and a pair of end lugs 14, the end lugs being preferably shorter than the middle finger. The middle finger is bent up in the same manner as are the fingers 15 of the preceding embodiment so as to provide a pocket 16' and a hump or projection 17 I The manner" inwhich the-locking members, constructed in accordance with the showing in Fig. 7, interlock is clearly disclosed in Fig. 6, and it will be seen from this figure that the pockets 16' of each locking member receive the hump or projection 17 ofthe next subjacent locking member of the opposite series, and that the locking finger 15 of 'each locking member is straddled by the lugs 14 so that the locking members,

when .in interlocked condition, are maintained in the correct relation to one another. As many changes could be made in the nee les above construction and many apparently widely diflerent embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all mat- 1. A locking member for flexible closures:

of the character described having a body portion provided at one end with means for securing the same to a flexible tape, and a plurality of longitudinally extending fingers at its opposite end, one at least of said fingers having an angular or 'V-shape to provide a pocket and a locking projection, one

at least of said fingers being in the plane of the locking member and closing one end of said pocket. 2. A locking member for flexible closures of the character described, having at one end means for securing the same to aflexible tape and at its other end three fingers, two of said fingers being of a length diflerent from the third one and the longer of said fingers being bent in an angular or V-shape, the shorter of said fingers being in the plane of the body portion of the locking member. 3. A locking member for flexible closures of the character described formed by stamp ing out a pierced blank having a pair of slits at one end to provide three fingers, the middle of said fingers being of lesser length than theend ones, said end fingers having a V or angular shape so that each end finger provides a V-shaped pocket and a bump or projection, the middle of said fingers being disposed between said pockets.

. 4. A flexible closure of the character described having a pair of flexible stringers and a series of locking members on each stringer, said locking members'being staggeredly arranged and each having at its free end a plurality of fingers, one at least of said JOHN B. rREYsI'nGERI Ill 

